James A. Woods

It is with deep sorrow that the family of James Allan Woods of Wilbraham announces his passing on February 9, 2025, at the age of 63. Born in Springfield, James attended Springfield Public Schools and happily participated in a day program at Baraco Corporation in Agawam during his adult years. He was a faithful member of Old First Church in Springfield, where he volunteered as a greeter on Sunday mornings. “Nice to see you!” was perhaps his most uttered phrase, and he loved to shake hands with and dispense hugs to friends old and new. After Old First’s closure, he worshipped at Mittineague Congregational Church in West Springfield and Foster Memorial Church in Springfield, embracing the fellowship of church and participating in activities at each parish.

An accomplished swimmer who successfully competed in the Special Olympics Massachusetts summer games in Boston each year, James won dozens of medals in freestyle and backstroke races. He proudly displayed those medals alongside the many karate belts he earned over the years. James was also a fixture at Shaker Bowl in East Longmeadow, where he enjoyed ten-pin bowling with friends.

James could identify any Beatles song within a few bars, and always knew whether John, Paul, George or Ringo was at the microphone. He was an enthusiastic singer, and his musical taste was wide-ranging, running the gamut from church hymns to oldies of the 50s and 60s. Dancing was another favorite pastime of James’, and his performance at his nephew’s wedding gained him a reputation as a wild man on the dance floor. In quieter moments, watching movies and cartoons, reading the newspaper, completing word search puzzles, and socializing with his family brought James great joy. He was beloved by all who knew him for his sincerity, his good heart and his sense of humor.

James was predeceased by his father, Edward Woods, and his mother, Marion Connor Woods.
He leaves his sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Stephen Saunders of Chatham, MA, niece Sarah O’Connor and her husband James of Glastonbury, CT, and nephew Shane Saunders and his wife Alena of East Longmeadow, MA. Also left to cherish his memory are his great niece Eleanor, his great nephews Maxwell, Cameron and Arthur, and the many friends and supportive staff who loved him.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate and honor James’ life at the Wilbraham Funeral Home on Saturday, February 22, 2025. A calling hour will be held at 10:30 a.m, followed by a Service of Celebration at 11:30 a.m.

James’ family is grateful for the exceptional care he received from Dr. Herminia Rosas at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Craig Kannel at Wilbraham Adult Medicine, and from Legacy Lifecare VNA and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of James to the Massachusetts General Hospital Alzheimers Disease Research Center at https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/madrc/ or to Legacy Lifecare VNA and Hospice, at www.jgslifecare.org .